Virus

OFF TOPIC WARNING:

I have to say this: I like your Sig (Quoted below) :)

wittmeba wrote:
I was born in Great Falls, Mt. My parents moved when I was 5. I found them when I was 10 - they were in California.

Oh, I was born in California, My parents moved with I was 3.. I traveled with 'em though. :).

Thanks for the responses. But I can't do anything with my computer because it's locked up!!!Safe mode does't work,it goes straight to the virus.I am using my other computer to write this.

ronmc wrote:
Thanks for the responses. But I can't do anything with my computer because it's locked up!!!Safe mode does't work,it goes straight to the virus.I am using my other computer to write this.

Yep. Been there done that.

Many virus's basically will lock you out, each time you reboot or attempt to remove it will result in some unwanted action. Mess with the virus enough and it can do major damage to not only the OS files but to any files including your data.

Sometimes this only takes one reboot (been there, done that) to get locked out.

You are now at the point of no return on the current drive.

If you don't feel confidant enough to reach into the innards of your PC then perhaps find a sticks and bricks PC shop.

Otherwise I really would suggest buying a new drive to install a fresh Windows load (this preserves your data on your old hard drive by not formating the old drive).

Once you have the new drive loaded you then install anti virus software. Once the antivirus software is running you then connect your old HD to the PC (this could be done as a secondary HD but I recommend using a external USB to hard drive adapter).

Scan the old drive and allow the antivirus software to remove the virus.

Once the old drive has been cleaned you then can copy your data (can't copy software, you will have to install the software from the original discs) from the old drive onto the new drive.

Once again, if you don't feel comfortable doing this take it to a PC shop...

Sounds like you need to take it to a good computer laundry.. There are some suggestiosn for the current computer and the future

1: Firewall.. Use a good one, like Zone Alarm,, Some folks tell you "Oh if you are behind a router you are safe" They do not lie,, Exactly (They truly believe what they tell you and lying is an intenetional passing of misinformation) but they do not tell the truth either, A really good fire wall (Say zone alarm free, which is the most annoying of firewalls, but you get what you put up with) is far better than a router.

The second is good anti virus.. Now there are some good professional (You pay for 'em) products out there but I have long and often felt that if a company is getting rich selling av products.. they have motive to write and release viruses.. Well, I have a friend who I will not name who told me WHICH company (Which I also will not name) that did just that.. For this reason I'm agains ALL paid programs.. however there are many good free ones including 2 or 3 already mentioned, AVAST, ABG and quite a few others. Install one and run it full time, install a 2nd one and run it occasionally.

Microsoft MRT (Malware Removal Tool) runs monthly on patch tuesday if you have updates turned on. If not,, Well it's a good one to use too, NOTE no A/V program is 100% but 3 of them will be right close.


Finally there is your E-mail client, DUMP IT, use web mail.

ronmc wrote:
Thanks for the responses. But I can't do anything with my computer because it's locked up!!!Safe mode does't work,it goes straight to the virus.I am using my other computer to write this.

There are a couple of ways to get around this issue. The most straightforward may be just to create a self-booting rescue CD.

Download the free Anvi Rescue Disk .iso file and burn it to a blank CD. If you don't have an app that can burn .iso files to CD, then you can use the free Ashampoo Burning Studio 6.

You'll may need to set the boot order in your computer's BIOS to boot to CD first. Once you startup, the rescue CD will boot into Linux and start the application. Follow the wizard to scan and remove the FBI Scam malware.

Great Points below..
Also stop using Internet Explorer.
Any browser is better than it is but I prefer Google Chrome and Mozilla Firefox

There is a way to get your system backed up.
Many people don't know this is possible but many IT Techs use it for system recovery

Download and burn the Hiren's Boot CD.

It will actually give you an option to fully boot into a Live Version of Windows XP with tools to scan, clean up data, and backup your system.

I suggest don't try fixing it, back up the system and then restore it from scratch.
Here is the link and all the info on the CD and how to use it.
We use this just about every day and it's saved a lot of data over the years.

http://www.hirensbootcd.org/download/

wa8yxm wrote:

Finally there is your E-mail client, DUMP IT, use web mail.

This makes absolutely no sense too me? :hI've been using email clients for 15+ years, and have never been infected by malware?

wa8yxm wrote:
Sounds like you need to take it to a good computer laundry.. There are some suggestiosn for the current computer and the future

1: Firewall.. Use a good one, like Zone Alarm,, Some folks tell you "Oh if you are behind a router you are safe" They do not lie,, Exactly (They truly believe what they tell you and lying is an intenetional passing of misinformation) but they do not tell the truth either, A really good fire wall (Say zone alarm free, which is the most annoying of firewalls, but you get what you put up with) is far better than a router.

The second is good anti virus.. Now there are some good professional (You pay for 'em) products out there but I have long and often felt that if a company is getting rich selling av products.. they have motive to write and release viruses.. Well, I have a friend who I will not name who told me WHICH company (Which I also will not name) that did just that.. For this reason I'm agains ALL paid programs.. however there are many good free ones including 2 or 3 already mentioned, AVAST, ABG and quite a few others. Install one and run it full time, install a 2nd one and run it occasionally.

Microsoft MRT (Malware Removal Tool) runs monthly on patch tuesday if you have updates turned on. If not,, Well it's a good one to use too, NOTE no A/V program is 100% but 3 of them will be right close.


Finally there is your E-mail client, DUMP IT, use web mail.

First of all Firewalls are pure garbage, they do not "protect" you from most of the modern day virus's.

Why?

Well most modern day virus's are basically a payload package which is delivered via items like Malware which loads a JavaSCRIPT. Once JavaScript executes it is all over.

Please note, JavaScript IS NOT the same as JAVA...

I have PERSONALLY watched my company PC melt into a quivering door stop all from Malware which installed a VIRUS as a "payload" I got from visiting a FAMILIAR website.

Keep in mind that My company network is HEAVILY defended via FIREWALL and active antivirus software. Just how heavily defended, well lets put it this way PCs on our IT network CAN NOT even contact Microsofts own Activation server...

Firewalls are meant to keep OUTSIDE folks from peeking into your PC/network, nothing more they do not stop Malware, virus's or other unwanted programs which hop a ride via files, programs, hyperlinks or JavaScripts.

Good Antivirus, goodluck with that, that in its' self is an Oxymoron. Like I stated above, many virus's get past even the BEST PAID antivirus software (if I didn't see it happen I would never have believed that it could happen).

Antivirus software will not detect MALWARE which is how MOST modern day virus's get distibuted. Basically the Malware will disable all antivirus software it finds. Then it will alter the Registry to prevent antivirus from being installed or run. Often times it will also disable any feature which you could use to remove it.

I simply use antivirus software to assist in removal since it often does not detect or prevent attacks.

Really the BEST defense I have found is to use FireFox with Adblock Plus, Better Privacy (tracks and removes flash Super cookies) and the real fix NOSCRIPT.

NoScript prevents JavaScripts from ever starting, while that is a bit of a pain it give you back some control of your PC. NoScript gives you options at each website you visit to allow or not allow any Javascript from running.

This enhances your security since JavaScripts have FULL control of your entire PC. They can add or remove software, make changes to your Registry all without you even being aware of the changes.

Depend on a firewall and antivirus software solely and I guarantee that you WILL eventually tangle with Malware and virus's..

HOORAY, I started to do what 1492 suggested,F2 button etc. At that point my computer stated "problems with last session, want to restore"? I said yes. About 30 seconds later,very fast for restore.Normal screen. I ran Malwarebit.It found and corrected six trojan virus. Somehow, did my computer fix itself? I have Vista Premium 32 bit. Six years and no problems!